Card selecting mechanism



May 12, 1953 v. E. FRIEDEWALD CARD SELETING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1948 May l2, 1953 v. E. FRll-:DEWALD 2,638,215

CARD SELECTING MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /0/ 700 l2 :go 2

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liter/nouja May l2, 1953 v. E. FRIEDEWALD CARD SELECTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26, 1948 May l2, 1953 v. E. FRIEDEWALD 2,638,215

i CARD SELECTING MECHANISM Filed April 2e, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /7L TULAREMIA AND TULAREMIA r'mEuMomA d mmf/.

' Q vQ o Q Q Q Q @C @JRST/ELU O @ff/5' A97 /fD TULAREmA & TULAREMIA PNEuMoNIA 2b DIAGNOSIS:

l. Blood aggluiinotion positive usunllg cfier two weeks. 2. Skin test may be positive us early as three a s. 3. X- Rayychest.

TREATMENT:

Symp'cmul'c.

May 12, 1953 v. E. FRIEDEWALD CARD SELECTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 26, 1948 Patented May 12, 1953 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARDY SELECTING ivtricHANLSMv vincent E. Friedewaia, Big spring, Tex. applicati@ Anraat, 194s, serial No. 2ans 17" Claims. 1

This invention relates tonew an'dyuseful improvements in card selecting mechanisms.

It is one` object of the inventionto'iprovide'an improved and' simplified .carcl-y selecting.4 machine upon which a plurality or, criteria may be mpressed and which will select from' grou-p of cards only those cards involving the impressed criteria.

Yet another object of the` invention ist() Drovide a machine Yof thev character `describedhaving a unique and novel' drive whereby the salme may be actuated from one single source of rotative power.

A still further object otzthe invention is to :provide an improved machinehof `the Acharacter described inl which .each card representsva certain combination of various criteria. and in which complementary cards are" provided one `eachxof the latter cards corresponding :or complementing the first named cards.

A particular object o'f the invention `is to prosvide a card sorting machine .containing aplu ralty of cards, each of `.which carries .certa-ill combinations of criteria diierentl fromV the other cards, said cards being of a `permanent `nature and adapted to` remainindenitely in the .machine Without removal' therefrom andl-'tobe re'- tained in relative' order therein.

Still another' object ofythel Ainventioz'r is to provide an improvedmaohine of the character .,de scribed above, containing la'. magazine of comple.- rnentary cards corresponding to thepe'rm'fanent `cards and whichJ are ejectedV from the machine upon suitableactuation -in connectionwitlr the permanentcards. i A further objectoiir the inventionistoprovide a card selecting machine `having a keyboard upon which selecting Aindicia may betimpresse the keyboardA operating `selecting mechanism intolen- `gagernent with whicha plurality of permanent carols carried by the machine are moved, said `cards being carried Within thev machine and and wherein:

Fig.` 1- is an isometric view, partly broken away to illustrate `the structure, of a card selecting machine constructediin accordance with this vin-` .VntiGILy Fig. 2 is a horizontal, crossfseotional view taken through `the body `of the machine shown in Fig. l a peint below the indicia receiving keyboard,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View talzenupon the lineB-SO Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged isometric, fragmentary view `of `one of the conveyor chainsz illustrating the mounting of the fingerstlereon,

Fig. 5- `is an enlarged isometric vievv, taken from the underside, of the card raising table and Operating meanstheview being partially broken away to Aillustrate .the` structure,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged; vertical, sectional" view taken i through the .complerrier'ltialy card maga-Q zlne,

Fig. 'lis anenlarged side elevation `of thecard. magazine, the View vloeingtalren at right `angles to Fig. 6 and partially broken away to illustrate the structurel Fig. ll is ,a schematic View iilustratlfile-` the elec'f ,tlcaildiagram ofthemachine,

Fig. 9 is a View in:elevation of Aone of the permarientcards,` l

Eig. 10 is a View in elevation of one of the com.- `plementerry,Cards, p

Fig. .1l-1 `is an enlargedv isometric, fragmentary l .vieu/,ofthe card' conveygr Shelves', i

'Fia .12 is an ,enlarged isometric view, partly broken away, of one of the keyboard :keys in raised position.

Eig. 11,3 is a view similar to Fig. l2 and showing the key in a depressed position,

Eig,` le `isi a viewsirnilarto Figs. l2 and 1,23, and :illustratingithe key locking and releasing mech- Fig. l-5 is anyiscmetric, skeletonized viewof the vdriving mechanismior the machine, and- Fig. .ms a view inelevation of one `ofthe drivllges.- Y

In the drawings, the numeral ldesignates an upright, rectangular-supporting `frame Whichmay 'be formedzcf .angle irOrlranvother suitable ma- C. The sections are substantially equal in size and are outlined by intermediate supporting posts II extending vertically within the confines of the frame I0, and by transverse frame members I2 extending across the upper end of the frame.

This machine is adapted to handle a multiplicity of index cards I, illustrated in Fig. 9, each of which comprises a rectangular, relatively stili plate I3 carrying a plurality of openings I4 extending therethrough. The positioning of the openings upon the cards corresponds to the particular set or combination of criteria represented by that particular card, and each of the cards carries a different set or combination of such openings. In addition, each card carries a similar opening I5 in its exact center. The cards are numbered as at I6 and also labeled as at I1, and any desirable or suitable number of the cards may be disposed in the machine. In the particular embodiment of the machine illustrated, approximately 300 of the index cards I are employed. However, the machine is not to be limited to this or to any other particular number of index cards.

For each of the index cards I, a somewhat smaller reference card R, as illustrated in Fig. 10, is provided. The reference cards R are small rectangular cards carrying a number I8 corresponding to the number I6 of the index card I y to which it corresponds, along with a title I9 identical to the title I1 upon the complementary index card. The reference cards R are disposed in a separate portion of the machine and carry suitable instructions or reference data applicable to the particular set of criteria represented by the openings I4 in the index card I to which that particular reference card relates.

As recited hereinbefore, one purpose of the invention is to provide a machine upon which a particular set of criteria may be impressed with provision being made for the machine then beginning to function automatically and select those index cards I which carry this particular set of criteria. Upon location of these index cards, the machine will automatically eject the 'corresponding reference cards R.

The handling of the index cards I to enable the 4machine to sort through the entire set of such rindex cards available, is accomplished by a douand carried upon suitable axles journaled in f a horizont-al position between the frame Il) and rearward support I I. Thus, the conveyor flights 22 and 24 extend vertically at the forward and rearward sides of the section C.

Each of the conveyors 22 and 24 include an endless chain 2S extending around sprockets 2l secured upon the axles 23 and 25. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the chains 26 are provided with a plurality of laterally extending fingers 23 to each of which is secured an elongate rectangular shelf 29. The shelves 29 are relatively narrow and long so as to extend substantially across the forward and rearward sides of the section C,

`but do not extend any appreciable distance toward the center of said section. The fingers 28' are provided in pairs upon the links of the chain 26, each pair of fingers carrying three shelves and extending therebetween so as to space such shelves apart in a uniform manner and at the same time permit the chain and the shelves to flex suliiciently to pass around the sprocket wheels 21. The shelves of the conveyor flights 22 and 24 are horizontally alined so that one of the index cards I may be disposed upon each shelf so as to have its forward edge supported by one shelf of the forward conveyor flight 22, and its rearward edge supported by the corresponding shelf of the rearward conveyor flight 2t. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the inner portions of both conveyor flights move upwardly so that the plurality of index cards I carried by said flights are moved upwardly in a continuous fashion from the bottom of the section C to the top thereof.

The opposite conveyor ZI disposed within the section A is identical in all respects to the conveyor 2d with the exception that the inner portions of the forward and rearward flights move downwardly rather than upwardly. Thus, the conveyor 2 I is continually moving the index cards I carried thereby downwardly within thesection A from the upper end thereof to the lower end of said section. Since the parts of the two con veyors are substantially identical, the elements of the conveyor 2i have been identied by the same numerals as the elements of the conveyor 2Il with a prime being added to the numerals.

A pair of conveyor chains 3G are provided for moving the index cards I from the lower end of the conveyor 2l to the lower end of the conveyor 20, and from the upper end of the latter conveyor back to the upper end of the conveyor 2i. Each chain is endless and rides upon sprockets 3l carried upon suitable horizontal shafts or axles extending at right angles to the axles 23 and 25. One of the axles 32 is disposed at the lower end of the section C at the outer side thereof, and Journaled in frame Iii. The second axle 33 for the section C is in vertical alinement with the axle 32 and journaled in the upper end of the frame I at the outer side of the section C. At the opposite end of the machine on the outer face o-r side of the section A, upper and lower axles 34 and 35 are also provided and are journaled in the upper and lower ends of the frame IG at that -end of the machine. The elongate endless chains -30 thus substantially encircle the entire machine along its longitudinal axis, one of the chains being disposed adjacent the front side of the machine, while the other chain is positioned adjacent the rearward side or face of the machine.

Each of the chains carries a plurality of lugs lor fingers 36 which are suitably secured to the sides of the chains project inwardly toward the interior of the machine and thus toward the conveyors 2li and 25 which they encircle. The iingers 33 are equally spaced upon the chains si) and the ngers of one chain are in horizontal alinement with the fingers of the other chain. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the spacing between adjacent flngers upon either of the chains is slightly greater than the Width of one of the index cards I.

lower index card into the uppermost position Whereinit may be engaged by the fingers 36 of the chains 30 which pass over such uppermost below the fingers 44 carried upon each of the keys 42. For moving the cards I upwardly into engagement with the lower ends of the fingers 44, a card raising structure S, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, is provided. The structure includes four vertical guide channels 58, one disposed at each corner of the structure S, said channels being suitably amxed and supported by the frame lll and the uprights il. An upper platform 59 is vertically movable within thechannels 58, each corner of the platform being received and guided by one of said channels so that the latter retain the platform in proper alinement in the course of its upward and downward movement. A depending sealed box or float 60 is carried upon the underside of the platform 59 and projects downwardly therefrom, the lower portion of the float being received within a central, rectangular chamber or sump 6| carried by a rectangular plate t2 disposed beneath said platform 59. The corners of the plate 62 also engage within the channels 58 so that the plate is guided in its upward and downward movement by said channels. A body of suitable liquid L,

such as water, light oil or glycerine, or the like,

is disposed within the sump 6| so as to float the box til therein. The buoyancy of the box 50 due to its partial submergence in the body of liquid L, supports said box and the platform 59 a short distance above the bottom of the sump 6i and the plate 62. Thus, when the plate 62 and the sump are moved upwardly or downward- 1y, the platform 59 is caused to move therewith, but in the event upward movement of the platform is obstructed, the sump and plate may continue to move upwardly resulting` merely infurther subniergence of the ioat 60 in the body of liquid L and not in any physical damage to the various elements. if desired, suitable springs (not shown) may be positioned between 'the plates 59 and 62 to function in place of the hydraulic system described and to provide a yieldable raising arrangement. A pair of driving shafts G3 extend horizontally beneath the underside of the sump t l, said shafts extending from the front portion of the middle section B to the rearward portion thereof and being suitably journaled in elements of the frame I0. Each of the shafts 'G3 carries a pair of cams 64 which engage the underside of the sump tl and raise and lower yraised and lowered, the buoyant force exerted by the body of liquid L upon the iioat 50 causes the platform 5S to be also raised and lowered. Thus, as the platform 5t moves upwardly, it passes between the parallel upper tracks 3i, lifting the index card I, which is resting on said tracks, from the tracks and into engagement with the lower ends cf the key pins 44.

It is at this precise point that the selection of the index cards takes place. A certain predetermined combination or arrangement of the keys 42 will have been depressed to represent the particular combination or arrangement of criteria for which a card must be found. Since the openings lll upon each of the cards I correspond in location to the keys d2, any one particular index card will not be able to move to the uppermost position unless it has an opening I4 in the proper position for each of the depressed keys 42. Thus, if a certain one of the keys 42 is depressed, and the particular index plate I which is underlying the keyboard at that moment does not carry the corresponding opening I4, the index card can be moved upwardly by the platform 59 only until the lower end of the key finger 44 of that particular key engages the upper surface of the index card. Further upward movement-is prevented so that the float t8 is caused to submerge further within the body of liquid L as the plate G2 continues its normal upward movement. However, if the particular index plate beneath the keyboard carries one of the openings I4 in the proper position for each of the keys 42 which are depressed, the card will be free to move to the uppermost position as the lower ends of the key fingers 44 pass through the openings i4, and the platform 59 thus is permitted to undergo its full upward travel. Dependent upon the particular set of criteria impressed upon the machine by depressing of certain of the keys 42, several of the index cards may` carry the necessary arrangement oi' openings i4 to permit such full upward travel of the platform 59, or only one of said cards I may permit such movement. However, as the machine goes through an entire cycle, each of the index cards is tested in this manner so that those carrying the arrangement of openings corresponding to the impressed data or criteria are selected.

For actuating the balance of the machine when a proper index card or cards are so selected from the entire set, the key 65 in the exact center of the keyboard carries a depending finger of greater length than the remaining ngers 44 of the other keys. This central key is not adapted to be depressed and released, but remains in the same position at all times with its lower end extending below the lower ends of the remaining keys. As previously recited, each of the index cards I is provided with an opening l5 in its exact center, and it is obvious that such openings i5, will be in vertical alinement with the center key 65 as each of the cards is brought into vertical registry with the keyboard. A central opening t6 is also provided in the upper portion of the platform 59, and a spring electrical contact l'i is disposed upon the underside of the top of the platform 59 immediately beneath said opening 66. As any one of the index cards is moved upwardly into engagement with the key fingers or pins 44, the central key 66 is moved through the central opening I5 of the card and also through the central opening 66 of the platform 59. However, this central key 65 does not come intol contact or engagement with the spring contact El unless the card carries openings I4 corresponding to the depressed keys 42 so as to permit the card to move to the uppermost position. If a key is depressed which is not matched by a corresponding opening i4 in the index card being tested and the card therefore does not move into the uppermost position, the key 65 will not come into engagement with the contact 6l. However, as the proper index card or cards are tested, that is, those cards having openings in the same arrangement as the keys which have been depressed, the platform 59 is permitted to move the card to the uppermost position and the key 65 passes the opening i into engagement with the electrical contact (il.

The engaging of the contact 61 by the key 85 closes an electrical circuit which actuates a magazine structure M positioned within the central section B below the keyboard section and the horizontal tracks 31. The magazine section vfor each revolution of said `shaft Eil.

ranged to advance said chains sufficiently during each revolution of the shaft il@ to move each of the index cards into the next position, it is obvious that the gear Sil must carry a number of teeth equal to the number of index cards, and therefore the number of reference cards, ernployed in the machine. In this manner, as each successive index card is moved into the testing position, the magazine structure M is moved to the next succeeding pocket to place the next successive reference card in vertical alinement with the slot is.

The drive for the conveyor chains 3Q includes a gear wheel Eil secured upon the shaft Sli at the rearward side of the machine and having gear teeth around only one-half of its periphery. These gear teeth are adapted to engage the gear teeth of a second gear lill) carried upon a shaft lill suitably journaled upon the frame It at one side of the shaft S@ and extending parallel thereto. The shaft itil carries a small. sprocket H32, and a similar sprocket lllt is secured upon the rearward end of the shaft t2 which is extended for this purpose. An endless chain IM encircles the sprockets i532 and |633 so as to transmit the driving power from the shaft lill to the shaft til. Obviously, rotation of the shaft 34 and its sprocket 3l result in the desired movement of the chains 3E) in a clockwise direction around the machine as viewed from the rearward side in Fig. 15. The angular placing of the toothed portion of the gear is such as to cause movement of the chains Sii during the period measured by the downward travel of the sump 6l as actuated by the cams 64. This downward travel represents about one-half of the time of one revolution of the shaft 9d, while the upward travel represents the other half of the time of one revolution of said shaft. By providing teeth around substantially one-half of the gear 99, the chains 3l? are thus caused to move as desired during one-half of each revolution of the shaft 9G, and are at rest for the other half of each revolution, The arrangement and sizes of the gears |53@ and the sprockets m2 and HB3 are arranged so as to give or provide the desired length of travel for the chains 38 during each period of movement. As previously recited, this length of move-ment is suiiicient to move one of the index cards from the right-hand section C into the center section B and into vertical alinement with the keyboard structure 39.

For operating the vertical conveyors 2t and 2l, the shaft si? carries a double-tooth gear |95 affixed thereon adjacent the rearward wall of the machine. The gear m is shown in detail in Fig. 16, and comprises a cylindrical body H36 having a single tooth lill affixed to one face of the body ,ills and projecting beyond the margin thereof. A similar tooth it@ is affixed to the opposite face of the body it and projects diametrically opposite the tooth lli?. Thus, as the gear [t5 is rotated the teeth l0? and m8 travel in parallel, but spaced, paths. A countershaft E99 is suitably journaled within the framework lll and extends parallel to the shaft 99 at one side of said shaft. As viewed in Fig. 15, the shaft IGS is to the right of the shaft Elli toward the section A of the machine and the vertical conveyor El. A gear wheel Il@ is secured upon the shaft IBS and is disposed in the path of travel of the tooth |68 so that rotation of the shaft lill causes advancement of the shaft It in a clockwise direction the space of one tooth A sprocket wheel Ill is also secured upon the shaft lll'! and an endless sprocket chain l l2 passes around the sprocket Hl and l I3 mounted upon a second countershaft H4 disposed parallel to the shaft |09 and further to the right thereof. A miter gear H5 is secured upon the shaft IIB and engages a second lniter gear Il@ provided upon the inner end of a shaft H1 which extends longitudinally of the machine parallel to and below the upper shaft 25 at the upper end of the rearward conveyor flight 24. The outer end of the shaft Ill' extends between the parallel runs of the chain 26 and has secured thereto a sprocket wheel H23 which engages both runs of the chain 25 to drive the same. The upper and lower sprocket 2l of the conveyor flight 24 of course idle upon the axles 25 and 25 and rotation of the latter is not necessary. With this structure, the chain 26 is advanced only a small distance with each revolution oi the shaft QB. and the diameters of the various sprockets and gears is selected to make this small advance equal to the distance between adjacent. shelves 29. Therefore, for each revolution of the shaft 99, the next succeeding index card I is moved by the chain 26' to the lowermost position within the vertical conveyor flight 2 l.

A similar arrangement is provided for driving the rearward night of the vertical conveyor 2li within the machine section C. This second driving arrangement, designated generally by the numeral HS is identical in all respects to the driving arrangement just recited, but is operated by the opposite tooth 10'! of the gear wheel E35. Being disposed to the left of the shaft 9D as viewed in Fig. 15, the driving connection Hg is necessarily operated in the opposite to that of the first described driving arrangement since it is actuated by the gear tooth lli'l moving downwardly rather by the gear tooth HB8 moving upwardly as was true in the first instance. Therefore, the conveyor chain 2S is actuated to move the shelf 29 upwardly rather than downwardly, and upon each revolution of the shaft 9U, the next succeeding index card is raised to the uppermost position within the conveyor 20.

For driving the opposite halves of the conveyors 20 and 2|, this entire double driving structure is duplicated at the forward part of the machine and functions to drive the forward flights of the two conveyorsin the same manner as hereinbefore set forth. The same intermittent operation is employed.

The driving structure and arrangement described permits continuous revolution of the shaft and continuous revolution of the camshafts 63 so that the sump fil, and therefore the entire raising and lowering structure S is continuously being moved upwardly and downwardly within the guide channels 53. During one-half of each revolution of the shaft ill), the conveyor chains 30 are advanced the distance proper to move the next successive index card into the keyboard section of the machine, and du-ring the opposite half of each revolution of the shaft 90 the various chains 26 and 26 are actuated to move each stack of index cards vertically within the machine sections A and C. Thus, the vertical and horizontal movement of the index cards through the machine is segregated whereby each may progress independently of and without interference by the other.

Once during each revolution of a shaft 90, the magazine section M isv also advanced to bring the next succeeding pocket and therefore the ity of index cards carried by the two conveyors, a third conveyor` extending between the ends of the first and second conveyors for conveying index cards therebetween, a card-shifting structure between the first and second conveyors, a card-testing mechanism into engagement with which the cards are shifted, an electrical contact carried by the card-shifting structure, a complementary electrical contact associated with the testing mechanism and adapted to close an electrical circuit through the first-named contact, a solenoid in said circuit, a drum magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards each corresponding to one of the index cards, a gate operated by the solenoid for permitting selected reference cards to drop from the magazine, and means for revolving the magazine over the gate in accordance with the moveemnt of the third conveyor.

3. A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, an endless card conveyor at one end of the frame, a second endless card conveyor at the opposite end of the frame, a multiplicity of cards carried by the two card conveyors, means for driving the two conveyors in opposite directions, a third endless card conveyor extending adjacent to the perimeter of the frame and contiguous to both ends of both the first and second card conveyors for receiving and delivering cards therefrom and thereto, means for driving the three conveyors, a card-shifting structure between the first and second conveyors, a plurality of individually depressible keys into engagement with which the cards are shifted, an electrical contact carried by the card-shifting structure, a complementary electrical Contact associated with the keys and adapted to close the electrical circuit through the first-named contact, a solenoid.

in said circuit, driving means for reciprocating l the card-shifting structure, a magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards carried in the mechanism, a gate operated by the solenoid for releasing reference cards from the magazine in accordance with the closure of the electrical circuit, and means for revolving the magazine in accordance with the movement of the index cards through the mechanism.

4, A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, an upwardly moving card conveyor at one end of the frame, a downwardly moving card conveyor at the opposite end of the frame, a plurality of cards carried by the card conveyors. horizontal conveyors extending between the upper and lower ends of the card conveyors, a card testing mechanism disposed between the card conveyors for testing each card as it passes from one card conveyor to the other,

a magazine carried by the supporting frame having a plurality of compartments adapted to receive a plurality of reference vcards each corresponding to one of the index cards, means for releasing the reference cards from the magazine in accordance with the operation of the card testing mechanism, and means for effecting relative movement between the magazine and the reference card removing means in synchronization with the movements of the index cards whereby the reference cards in the magazine are brought into position relative to the card removing means for removal from the magazine in synchronization with the movements of the index cards,

5. A card selecting mechanism including, Va

'supporting frame, a card conveyor carried by the frame having a multiplicity of card carrying elements, a multiplicity of cards carried by the card conveyor, means for driving the card conveyor to carry the cards from one portion of the mechanism to a second portion thereof, a second card conveyor carried by the frame spaced from the rst-named card conveyor and having a multiplicity of card carrying elements, a multiplicity of cards carried by the second card conveyor, means for driving the second conveyor in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of movement of the first conveyor, a pair of conveyors extending between the ends of the aforementioned card conveyors, means for driving the latter conveyors in opposite directions, a card testing mechanism disposed between the card conveyors for testing each card as it passes from one card conveyor to the other, a magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards each of said cards corresponding to one of the rstnamed cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing certain of the reference cards therefrom in accordance with the operation of the card testing mechanism, means for bringing the reference cards and the releasing gate into reference card releasing relationship, and means for maintaining the bringing of the reference cards and the releasing gate into such relationships in synchronization with the movements of the index cards.

6. A card selecting mechanism including,v a supporting frame, an endless card conveyor at one end of the frame, a second endless card conveyor at the opposite end of the frame, a multipilicity of cards carried by the two card conveyors, means for driving the two conveyors in opposite direction, a third. endless card conveyor extending adjacent to the perimeter of the frame and contiguous to both ends of both the rst and second card conveyors for receiving and delivering cards therefrom and thereto, means for driving the rst and second conveyors together in intermittent fashion, means for intermittently driving the third conveyor alternately with the intermittent driving of the rst and second conveyors, a card testing mechanism disposed between the rst and second card conveyors for testing each card as it passes from one of the latter conveyors to the other, a magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards each of said cards corresponding to one of the rst-named cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing certain of the reference cards therefrom in accordance with the operation of the card testing mechanism, means for bringing the reference cards and the releasing gate into reference card releasing relationship, and means for maintainingthe bringing of the reference cards and the releasing gate into such relationships in synchronization with the movements of the index cards.

7. A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, an endless card conveyor at one end of the frame, `a second endless card conveyor at the opposite end of the frame, a multiplicity of cards carried by the two card conveyors, means for driving the two conveyors in opposite directions, a third endless card conveyor extending adjacent to the perimeter of the frame and contiguous to both ends of both the first and second card conveyors for receiving and delivering cards therefrom and thereto, a driving shaft carried by the supporting frame, driving connecgesamt tions between the driving shaft and the rst and second conveyors, one element in the said driving connectionsbeing a driving gear having teeth on only a portion of its periphery whereby the first and secondary conveyors are driven intermittently, a driving connection` between the third conveyor and the driving shaft, one element in the latter connection being a gear wheel having teeth on only a portion of its periphery whereby the third conveyor is intermittently driven, the teeth of the last-named gear wheel being rotatively displaced from the teeth of they inst-named gear Wheel so that the driving ofthe third conveyor is alternated with the driving of the rs't and second conveyors, a card testing mechanism disposed between the rst and second card conveyors for testing each card as it passes fromone of the latter conveyors to the other, ar magazine carried by the supporting frame'and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards each of said cards corresponding to one of the rst-named cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing certain of the reference cards therefrom in accordance with the operation of the card testing mechanism, means for bringing the reference cards andthe releasing gate into reference card releasing Irelationship, and means for maintaining the bringing of the reference cards and the releasing gate into such relationships in synchronization with the movements of the index cards.

8. A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, a first conveyor at one end of the frame having a, pair of ,endless conveyor chains, each chain carrying a` plurality of card receiving elements, a plurality of cards carried by the chains, each card having its opposite edges engaged by the card receiving elements of the pair of chains, means for driving the chains together so as to move the cards from one end of the conveyor to the other, a second conveyor at the opposite end of the frame having the recited elements of the first conveyor, means for driving the second conveyor simultaneously with and in a direction opposite to the driving of the nrst conveyor, guide means extending between the ends of the first andsecond conveyors, a `third conveyor having an endless conveyor chain extending substantially parallel to the guide means for moving the cards via the guide means from the rst conveyor to the second and return, a card testing mechanism disposed adjacent one of theguide vmeans for testing each card `as it passes from the rst conveyor tothe second and adapted to contain a magazine carried by the supporting frame, a plurality of reference cards each of said cards corresponding to one of the first-named cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing certain of the reference cards therefrom in accordance with the operation of the card testing mechanism, means for bringing the reference cards and the releasing gate into reference card releasing relationship, and means for maintaining the bringing of the reference cards and the releasing' gate into such relationships in synchronization with' the movements of the index cards. Il

9. A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, a rst vertical card conveyor at one endoi the frame having a pair of endless conveyor chains, each chain carrying a plurality of card-supporting shelves, a plurality of cards supported upon the shelves, each card having its opposite edges resting upon opposite shelves of the two conveyor chains, means for the first con- 118 r veyor upwardly so as to move the cards upwardly in the mechanism, a second vertical conveyor at the opposite end of the frame disposed substantially parallel to the `first conveyor and having the recited elements of the iirst conveyor, means for driving the second conveyor downwardly so as to move the cards downwardly in the mechanism, a third conveyor having a pair of endless chains extending in a circuit adjacent the perimeter of the frame, the top and bottom portions of the circuit ei'itending in substantially horizontal planes contiguous to the upper and lower ends of the rst and second conveyors, a plurality of card-engaging nngers projecting inwardly from the last-named chains, substantially horizontal guide rails extending between the upper ends and between the lower ends of the rst and second conveyors, a card testing mechanism disposed adjacent the guide rails at one end of the vertical conveyors for testing veach Acard as it passes between the vertical conveyors, a magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain a plurality of reference cards each of said cards corresponding to one of the firstnamed cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing certain of the reference cards therefrom in accordance `with the operation of the card testing mechanism, means for bringing the reference cards and the releasing gate into reference card releasing relationship, and means for maintaining the bringing of the reference cards and the releasing gate into such relationships in synchronization with the movements of the index cards. i

l0. A card selecting mechanism including, a supporting frame, a card` conveyor disposed at one end oi the frame, a second card conveyor disposed at the opposite end of the frame, a plurality of cards carried by the two conveyors,` a third conveyor extending between the endsI ofthe firstand second conveyors for conveying cards therebetween, a card-shifting structure between the first and .second conveyors, a plurality of individually` depressible keys into engagement with which the cards are shifted, an electrical contact carried by the card-shifting structure,

a `complementary electrical contact associated` with the keys, driving means for reciprocating the card-shifting structure, an electrical circuit adapted to be closed by engagement of the two recited electrical contacts, `a magazine carriedby a supporting frame and adapted to contain Va plurality of reference cards, each reference card corresponding toone of the first-,named cards, a gate disposed beneath the magazine for releasing selected reference cards therefrom, a solenoid connected in the electrical circuit operating said gate upon the closureof the electrical circuit, and

a receptacle for receiving the reference cards as` taining such action in synchronization with the.

movements of `the index cards is means for revolving the magazine in accordance with the movement of the third conveyor.

12. A card selecting mechanism including, a

supporting. trame,V a card conveyor disposed at one end of' the frame,l a second card conveyor disposed at the opposite end' of thel frame, a plurality of.` cards carried by `the two conveyors, each card carrying a plurality of openings arranged over the card in correspondence to certain` data represented' by that card, a third'con- Veyor extending between the ends of the first and second conveyors for conveying cards therebetween, a card-shifting structure between. the rst and secondconveyors, a. keyboard carried by thev frame adjacent the card-shifting structure, the keyboard having'v a plurality of individually depressible keys into engagement' with which the cards are shii't'eol"an electrical' contactlcar.- ried by the card-shifti'ngv structure, aV complementary electrical contact associated? with the keys, driving means for reciprocating the. cardshifting structure towardand away from the keyboard', an electrical circuitd adapted' to be closed by engagement of `the two recitedel'ectrical' contacts, and adapted' to contain a magazine carried by a. supporting framev andadaptj'ed to contain a plurality of. reference cards, each reference card corresponding to one. of thev rstL-named cards, agate' disposed' beneath'tlie magazine. for releasing selectedl reference' cards therefrom, a solenoid connected in the electrical' circuit operatingv sai'd gate upon the closureof.' the electrical' circuit, a receptacle for receiving the reference cards as they'drop through the gate from the magazine, means4 for bringingthe reference cards andthe releasing gate into. reference card releasing relationship, and'means for maintaining the bringing of the reference cards and the releasing gate into such relationships in synchronization with the movements ofthe index cards.

13. A card-selecting mechanismL including, a supporting frame, anv upwardly movingy card conveyor'at one end ofthe-frame, a downwardly moving card' conveyor at; the opposite* end ofthe frame, a pluralityv of cardsr carried by the. card conveyors, horizontal conveyors extending between the upper and lower ends of. thecard conveyors,r a Cardi-testing mechanism disposed between the card. conveyors for testing, each card as' it passes from one. card' conveyor to the` other, a card-shifting structure, means for reciprocating said structure toward and, away from the card-testing mechanism, a card-receiving platform forming a portion of the card' shifting. structure and' being. adapted to receive, one of the cards and move it into engagement with the card-testing mechanism, and aY yield'abl'e. connection between the card-shifting structure and. the platform permittingy relative movement between tho i'attei.' two elements.

14'. A card selecting mechanism including. a supporting frame,r a card conveyor disposed at one end' of the frame, a second card conveyor disposed at the opposite end of the frame, a plurality of cards carried by the. two, conveyors, each card carrying, a plurality of openings. arranged over the. card in correspondence tol certain data represented. by that card, a third con- Veyor extending between vthe ends of. the rst. and second conveyors for conveying cards therebetween, a card-shifting structure between the first and second conveyors,I a keyboard carried by the frame adjacent the. card-shifting structure, the keyboardhaving a plurality of. individually depressible keys into engagement, with which the cards are,y shiite.d, a. single electrical contacty carried' byf the. card-shitting structure, a complernentary,v electrical contact-4,. associated with the keys. acard testing mechanism disposed between the. card conveyors for testing, eachV card as it passesfrom one card conveyor to the other, driving. means for reciprocating the card-shifting structure toward andA away from the keyboard, the card-shifting structure including a card carriagel having an. elementv projecting from one side thereof', a second. element having a sump, receiving, the projecting element', the latter element being positively reciprocated` by the structure driving means, andlla body ot" iiuid disposed betweenA the'. sumpr and, the projecting element.

1'5. Acard" selecting mechanism as set forth. in claim 14" wherein the body of'iiuid' is a body oi fludvpartjially. filling the space between the sump and the projecting element..

16'. A card selectingv mechanism. including,v a supporting. Trama a card' conveyor carried bythe frame, a plurality of index cards carried by the conveyor, an index cardtesting mechanism carried by the supporting frame for testing each index card as, it is, carried by the. conveyor; a magazine carried by the supporting frame and adapted to contain anl'urality, of reference cards each corresponding to one of the index cards, means controlled by the. index, card' testing mechanism for releasing the reference cards from the magazine, and means for effecting relative movement,k between. the magazine andthe reference card releasing means, in, synchronization with the movement of the indexv cards through the card, testing mechanism whereby the reference cards inthe-magazine are` brought into position relative. tothe card releasing, means. for removal f rom; the, magazine. in synchronization with the movements. ofi the index cards through the card' testing mechanism.

I7. A card' selecting. mechanism. including, a supporting frame, a card conveyor carriedby the frame, a plurality of' index cards carried by the conveyon anindex card testing. mechanism carried by the supprting frameA for testing, each index card" as. it is carried., by the conveyor, a movable magazine carried: by the supporting frame andl adaptedto. contain a plurality of reference cards. each corresponding to, one, of the index cards, means. for moving the magazine, means controlled by the index` card testing mechanismfor releasing the reference cards from the .magazineA and means,l for maintaining the movement of the magazine in synchronization with the movements oi the index cards through the card testing mechanism.

VINCENT E. FRIEDEWALD- Referenceseitea inthe nie of this patent UNITED STATES. PATENTS Number Name, Date 1,236,482 Powers Aug. 14, 1917 1,376,556- Lasker- May 3, 1921 2,257,220 Becker Sept. 30, 194i 2,288,770 Armbruster July- 7, 1942 `2,310,445 Lang Feb. 9 1943 FOREGN PATENTS Number Country Date 84.4,Q08 France Apr. 11, 193.9 

